Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Bethune-Cookman used a two-run seventh inning to rally past South Florida for a 4-3 victory Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The win is B-CU's second straight against the Bulls and is USF's second loss of the season.
Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Bethune-Cookman (5-3) capitalized on timely hitting and a costly balk to take control.
Erick Almonte drew a leadoff walk and later stole second before Darryl Lee also worked a free pass. With two outs, Maikol Lucena delivered a single to right field to score Almonte and tie the game at 3-3. Moments later, Lucena advanced to second on a balk, allowing Lee to cross the plate with the go-ahead run.
The Wildcats struck first in the second inning when Jose Fernandez launched a solo home run to left-center field for a 1-0 lead. South Florida (7-2) answered in the fifth on an RBI single from Jevin Relaford, then surged ahead in the sixth. Bradke Lohry doubled down the left-field line and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nathan Earley before Jacob Green added an RBI single to give the Bulls a 3-2 advantage.
The B-CU bullpen kept the deficit manageable and shut the door late. Bryon Rincones (2-0) earned the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Justin Morales recorded the final three outs for his first save of the season. Bethune-Cookman pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and worked around 10 South Florida hits.
South Florida's Ethan Sutton (0-1) was charged with the loss after surrendering the decisive runs in the seventh. Jacob Green led the Bulls at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, while Lucena drove in two runs to pace the Wildcats' offense.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
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